Novel
Каласы пад сярпом тваім
Not translated into English
Uladzimir Karatkievich · 1965
Synopsis
In the Dnieper region, in the middle of the nineteenth century, as the abolition of serfdom approaches and Belarusian national consciousness awakens, the young prince Aleś Zahorski grows up. His education and nobility of heart lead him to understand the need for change and to bond with men ready to fight tsarist autocracy, among them Kastous Kalinouski, future leader of the 1863 uprising. The novel paints a broad picture of society, from young nobles to peasants.
Context
The novel appeared in 1965 in the review Polymia, in Minsk, in five instalments, then in book form in 1968 from the Biełaruś publishing house; it opens a cycle devoted to Aleś Zahorski. It carries the author's favourite theme, the uprising of 1863-1864, and his romantic and patriotic tone. Translated into Russian, notably by V. Shchedrina, it is among the author's best-known books. It has been translated into neither French nor English.
Who it is for
For lovers of great historical novels, and to understand how national feeling was forged in Belarus.
Prizes and reception
The novel has gone through at least nineteen editions, fourteen in Belarusian and five in Russian, as well as an audio version in 2009.